Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasrasnga and Kushal Mendis together with West Indies’s Sherfane Rutherford and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai have been shortlisted for the ICC Males’s ODI Cricketer of the 12 months 2024 award.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka):
26 wickets at 15.61, economic system 5.36, 87 runs at 17.40, strike fee 101.16
Wanindu Hasaranga continued to cement his status as a wizard of white-ball cricket, taking a wicket inside each three overs in ODI cricket all year long.
Hasaranga boasted 11 wickets in his first three 50-over matches of the calendar yr, taking 7/19 in 5.5 overs towards Zimbabwe, earlier than a 4/27 (6.5) efficiency towards Afghanistan in Pallekele in mid-February.
Six wickets got here within the three-match ODI sequence away in Chattogram, earlier than a 3/58 effort towards India upon his return to the bowling crease in August. Spells of two/18 (6) and 4/40 (8) adopted towards the West Indies, finishing a five-match stretch of consecutive multiple-wicket outings for the leg-spinner.
Memorable efficiency:
Flicking the calendar again to January, Hasaranga made early 2024 headlines when he claimed 7/19 from simply 5.5 overs towards Zimbabwe in Colombo.
Kusal Mendis had already utilised 4 bowlers when he threw the ball to his leg-spinner for simply the ninth over of the match, although the choice was vindicated after Hasaranga discovered Takudzwanashe Kaitano’s prime edge for a simple catch for Dilshan Madushanka at quick fine-leg.
The wicket started a procession for Hasaranga and Sri Lanka, with Joylord Gumbie and Craig Ervine falling in his subsequent over, and Milton Shumba in his third over to go from 43/0 to 48/4.
Hasaranga returned to say Clive Madande for a golden duck, earlier than cleansing up the tail with wickets of Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani, because the Zimbabweans have been bundled out for simply 96.
The leg-spinner walked off with 7/19 off simply 5.5 overs, and was adjudged Participant of the Match for his exploits.
Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan):
12 innings, 417 runs at 52.12, Strike Charge 105.56, 7 wickets at 20.47, economic system 4.90
Underlining his credentials as some of the versatile white-ball gamers on the earth, Azmatullah Omarzai was a thorn within the facet for opponents with each bat and ball in 2024.
With blade in hand, Omarzai made early headlines with a knock of 149* from simply 115 balls towards Sri Lanka in Pallekele again in February, earlier than a half-century towards the identical opponents 5 days later, albeit in a sequence defeat.
Because the yr progressed, Omarzai sizzled in each aspects to a series-defining impact. Omarzai performed a key function in Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI sequence win over South Africa, making an unbeaten 86* from simply 50 balls earlier than claiming 1/17 (3) within the second ODI to maneuver into an unassailable 2-0 lead. He then emulated the success towards Bangladesh, claiming Participant of the Match honours with 70* (77) and 4/37 (7) in a series-deciding third ODI.
Memorable efficiency:
Omarzai can have fond reminiscences of Afghanistan’s journey to Sri Lanka, making a surprising 149* from simply 115 balls within the first ODI again in February, even when his efficiency got here in a defeat.
After watching Pathum Nissanka sparkle in a knock of 210* (139) earlier within the day, a few of it on the expense of his personal bowling figures, Omarzai showcased his world-class expertise in response.
Omarzai figured he had nothing to lose when strolling out to bat along with his facet reeling at 19/3, solely to lose two companions quickly after within the chase. He then discovered firm in Mohammad Nabi, because the pair placed on 242 in simply 222 balls.
The precise-hander smashed 13 fours and 6 sixes in his keep on the crease, ending the innings with a six as a ultimate exclamation, even when his facet have been unable to chase down 382.
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka):
17 innings, 742 runs at 53.00, Strike Charge 90.59
Kusal Mendis’ identify was outstanding in what was a packed yr of ODI cricket for Sri Lanka.
Making half-centuries towards all six opponents in ODI cricket throughout 2024, Mendis additionally celebrated a century towards New Zealand and completed the calendar yr with a mean of over 50.
Mendis started the yr with scores of 46, 17 and 66* towards Zimbabwe in January, with the latter rating made simply 51 balls, having been moved all the way down to No.3.
He remained at first-drop for the remainder of the yr within the 50-over format and continued to indicate his consistency with three double-digit scores towards Afghanistan in February, together with one other half-century in Pallekele.
Mendis toured Bangladesh, making 59 (75) within the first ODI in Chattogram, and made an impression towards India, additionally making 59 (82) in a house sequence match in Colombo.
Whereas the 29-year-old had threatened to peel off an enormous rating all year long, and he duly delivered on the backend of the yr, making an unbeaten 56* from simply 22 balls towards the West Indies, and 217 runs throughout two knocks towards New Zealand. Mendis smashed a 128-ball 143 towards New Zealand in Dambulla, earlier than a collected 74* from 102 balls when the groups met in Pallekele.
Mendis additionally loved a great yr with the gloves, claiming 19 dismissals throughout the matches, and Sri Lanka misplaced simply three of their 17 ODIs over the course of the yr.
Memorable efficiency:
It was a career-best day for Mendis in November towards New Zealand that stands out, blasting 143 in simply 128 balls to assist his facet to victory in a rain-affected match in Dambulla.
Mendis and Avishka Fernando pressed ahead within the first Powerplay after the aforementioned batter was dropped on 11, finally transferring to his half-century in 64 balls. Exhausting on the sweep towards the spinners and hitting fast bowlers straight of the wicket, the pair placed on 206 in 215 balls, offering a launchpad for the group to put up a 300 rating.
Mendis introduced up the century in 102 balls earlier than his late acceleration, hitting 17 fours and two sixes to finally assist the facet to 324/5 in 49.2 overs earlier than the climate intervened. Play resumed, with the hosts claiming a assured 45-run win on the DLS technique.
Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies):
425 runs at 106.25, common 106.25, strike fee 120.05.
Famous extra for his prowess within the shorter white-ball format, Sherfane Rutherford flourished within the ODI recreation in 2024, bringing over his batting belligerence.
Not succumbing to the pressures of enjoying away from residence, Rutherford started his yr within the format with three consecutive half-centuries towards Sri Lanka, albeit in a 2-1 sequence defeat. Rutherford’s 204 runs not solely got here at a strike fee of 107.36, however the left-hander was solely dismissed as soon as.
The 26-year-old nonetheless made an impression even with only one alternative towards England at residence in Antigua, making 54 (36), although the perfect was but to come back in December, the place Rutherford was once more within the runs in a house sequence towards Bangladesh.
Rutherford made gentle work of a chase of 295 in St Kitts, making 113 in simply 80 balls, serving to his facet take a 1-0 sequence lead. He closed out with an unbeaten 24* and a knock of 30 within the sequence, of which each helped the West Indies to a 3-0 sequence win.
Memorable efficiency:
St Kitts was handled to a batting exhibition from Rutherford in early December, who hit 113 off simply 80 balls towards Bangladesh, turning a tough chase right into a Basseterre cakewalk.
Rutherford walked out at 94/3 within the twenty second over within the chase, unperturbed by run fee strain along with his facet at one stage needing 161 off simply 114 balls, and after being struck on the helmet twice in proceedings.
After a circumspect begin, Rutherford in a single stretch blazed 94 runs in 51 balls, turning the match on its head with the assistance of Shai Hope and Justin Greaves. Rutherford misplaced his wicket seven runs in need of the goal, although his efforts ensured the group comfortably secured victory with 14 balls to spare.
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